Gus Poyet said that the coaching staff and players have learned lessons from their Championship experience last season, as they look to finish in the play-offs positions this term.
The Seagulls were in a similar position in the league at this point last year before fading away to finish tenth. He feels that Albion are better equipped this time around but has called on the players to realise the importance of every game during the run-in.
He told seagulls.co.uk, “We needed to be smarter in the last few games and we have learned a lot from last season. Last season we were in a similar position with ten or 11 games to go but we could not win a game for some reason. We lost a great chance and we don’t want to do the same again.
“We have changed things because of last season, even though people might not see it on the pitch. Sometimes you do everything right and have all the players fit but it doesn’t work, and that’s because every team is playing for something in this league.
“Teams are fighting relegation, others are fighting to not get sucked into the relegation fight, teams are playing to get closer to the top six, teams in the top six want to stay in the play-off positions and others want to get up automatically.
“Every game becomes a final and when that happens there are too many draws and inconsistent results so teams need to do what they can to win. Every team needs that run like we had when we won League One, with eight straight wins in March. We are on a good run now and we need to use the players in the best way possible because we definitely have a better squad.”
The Albion boss has put extra significance on Saturday’s visit of Huddersfield Town, considering the Seagulls will follow the game with three away games in eight days, and he would like the players to do the same.
“It will be a fantastic win for us on Saturday if we can get the three points and it will be the last push to put us in a situation where the play-offs are in our hands. It would mean that we can go into the three away games in a slightly different way.
“But Huddersfield will be competitive and difficult to beat. They will be physical because they are fighting for points and they have had their first win with their new manager which will help them. But Saturday will depend on how good we are and how we cope with their strengths.
“We need to play better than we did against Burnley for long periods but also we need to make sure we do what we need to win.”
Purchase tickets for this game online, via the ticketline on 0844 327 1901 *or in person at both ticket offices, located at the Amex and in Queens Road, Brighton.
Original article
The Seagulls were in a similar position in the league at this point last year before fading away to finish tenth. He feels that Albion are better equipped this time around but has called on the players to realise the importance of every game during the run-in.
He told seagulls.co.uk, “We needed to be smarter in the last few games and we have learned a lot from last season. Last season we were in a similar position with ten or 11 games to go but we could not win a game for some reason. We lost a great chance and we don’t want to do the same again.
“We have changed things because of last season, even though people might not see it on the pitch. Sometimes you do everything right and have all the players fit but it doesn’t work, and that’s because every team is playing for something in this league.
“Teams are fighting relegation, others are fighting to not get sucked into the relegation fight, teams are playing to get closer to the top six, teams in the top six want to stay in the play-off positions and others want to get up automatically.
“Every game becomes a final and when that happens there are too many draws and inconsistent results so teams need to do what they can to win. Every team needs that run like we had when we won League One, with eight straight wins in March. We are on a good run now and we need to use the players in the best way possible because we definitely have a better squad.”
The Albion boss has put extra significance on Saturday’s visit of Huddersfield Town, considering the Seagulls will follow the game with three away games in eight days, and he would like the players to do the same.
“It will be a fantastic win for us on Saturday if we can get the three points and it will be the last push to put us in a situation where the play-offs are in our hands. It would mean that we can go into the three away games in a slightly different way.
“But Huddersfield will be competitive and difficult to beat. They will be physical because they are fighting for points and they have had their first win with their new manager which will help them. But Saturday will depend on how good we are and how we cope with their strengths.
“We need to play better than we did against Burnley for long periods but also we need to make sure we do what we need to win.”
Purchase tickets for this game online, via the ticketline on 0844 327 1901 *or in person at both ticket offices, located at the Amex and in Queens Road, Brighton.
Original article